LOVING YOUR JOB IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR A JOB WELL DONE

Many years ago when I was in my first job, I would often sit by myself wracking my brains dry trying to figure out the what-and-how of doing a great job. One day Mom, having noticed my bewilderment and anxiety, came to me, sat down, and said............. 'The only way to do a great job is to love it and give it your best shot. Even the geniuses of men with all their brilliance won't make it if what they do is simply out of the exercise of competition and rivalry. That would simply be a display of lame motivation. Because the truly motivated person knows that only by genuinely loving your work..... being passionate about it..... by learning something everyday..... and sincerely caring enough to put out the very best can performance be said to be truly outstanding. So whether you are a simple janitor, street-cleaner, salesperson, the office clerk or the president of your company, loving your job is the prerequisite for a job well done. The rest will follow.'
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I still miss her today as I did that year she left me and my brother. Life would have been so much lighter and grand with her by my side and with her bottomless stack of wisdom and care. She always had the right words, encouragement, strength, hope, faith, and positivity when my own failed. I remember best what she would always say to me............ 'Press on, Honey, got you covered with prayers.'   That made a great deal of difference in my life back then. But I have with me all those wonderful memories she left behind. I can say that with those golden memories inside my backpack, my life journey would be a breeze.
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"Older and wiser voices can always help you find the right path, if you are only willing to listen." -- Jimmy Buffett

SHINE WITH YOUR LIGHT

I liked this right after having stumbled upon it in a book recently. Just had to bring it here so that I could come back to it again and again. To quote -

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"  -- Anne Frank (Germany)

Unquote.

I think that's a good reminder of who we are. We are not meant to live mediocre lives but were meant to live outstanding lives. We are each given a talent by which God expects us to put to good use. And this putting to good use should not only benefit the self but should contribute to the well-being of the other or others. I think that is just what we are supposed to do.

We were designed for a life that should shine with who we are with our God-given talents. To shine does not necessarily have to mean being on the center stage of achievement or drama or grandiose trappings or show. That could be nice but isn't the only way. I believe that there are a diversity of ways to shine as there are many different talents God has poured upon each and every person.

Here's another quote I like too:

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."  -- Romans 12:6-8

The trick I believe is to discover what yours is. Because truly you can be great, you can love amazingly, you can accomplish wonderful things, and you definitely have potential. That, incidentally, is by God's design.

So shine with your light.